Umit Benan A/W 2014

After opening his first Paris show with an emotive speech of thanks, the Turkish designer Umit Benan ripped his way down his baseball field catwalk hooting and hollering for the finale, brandishing a scrawled poster that stated 'No to racism - for the love of the game'. It was all a part of Benan's heart-on-his-sleeve debut in a tribute to Jackie Robinson, the first African American baseball player to be accepted into the Major League in the 1940s. Benan split the show in two, opening with a dark passage of pre-Robinson oppression, his models pressing baseball mitts to their faces. When the lights came on, the mood lightened, and the masculine swagger of his All-American boys was revealed - their loose turtlenecks poking out under rumpled button-downs, and a slew of collegiate outerwear emblazoned with a 'B' badge in rusty, autumn tones. With ties too long, white socks and trousers short and wide, Benan's look was pure and authentic, making a though-provoking case for vintage (and virile) elegance amongst today's peacock parade.
Photography: Anna Stokland/Jason Lloyd-Evans
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
-
Corner Corner may be London's most unique entertainment destination yet
The newly-opened venue combines food, jazz and—yes—urban farming beneath one sprawling roof
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
The Wallpaper* Design Issue comes with our Salone del Mobile must-sees
The May 2025 issue of Wallpaper* is on sale now, taking in Milan Design Week, the Venice Biennale, and a very stylish tea party
By Bill Prince Published
-
Aboard Gio Ponti's colourful Arlecchino train in Milan, a conversation about design with Formafantasma
The design duo boards Gio Ponti’s train bound for the latest Prada Frames symposium at Milan Design Week
By Laura May Todd Published
-
Palace unites with Rapha to celebrate inaugural Tour de France Femmes
Marking the first time women will compete in the historic cycling race since the late 1980s, this new collaboration sees Palace Skateboards and Rapha create uniforms for both on and off the bike – including an ‘outlandish’ pair of Crocs
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
Paris Fashion Week A/W 2022: Chanel to Miu Miu
In this extended report, Wallpaper* updates you live from Paris Fashion Week A/W 2022 shows, with rolling coverage as runway events unfold
By Jack Moss Last updated
-
Scene-stealing runway sets from S/S 2022 womenswear shows
From giant roulette wheels to Olympic diving boards and multi-city synchronized extravaganzas – our pick of the best fashion show sets from S/S 2022 womenswear
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Louis Vuitton A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Chanel A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women’s
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Y/Project A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Sacai A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women's
By Laura Hawkins Last updated
-
Alexander McQueen A/W 2020 Paris Fashion Week Women’s
By Laura Hawkins Last updated